Prescott and Tolbert shine as the Cowboys secure a 20-17 victory over the Steelers
Dak Prescott maneuvered to his left, then continued to shift further. On a night that felt interminable, what harm would a few extra seconds cause?
As T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh defense closed in, Prescott executed a precise throw to Jalen Tolbert with just 20 seconds remaining, securing a 20-17 victory for the Dallas Cowboys early Monday morning.
Throughout the preceding three hours, Prescott displayed a mix of exceptional and perplexing plays, throwing two interceptions and fumbling once, which nearly allowed the sluggish Steelers to remain competitive.
However, when Dallas (3-2) regained possession, trailing by four with 4:56 left on the clock, Prescott expertly guided the Cowboys down the field for 70 yards in 15 plays. He demonstrated quick thinking by recovering a fumble from teammate Rico Dowdle, who lost the ball while attempting to leap into the end zone. This astute move provided Dallas with two additional opportunities, and after an incomplete pass, Prescott capped off his 352-yard performance, leading the injury-plagued Cowboys to their second consecutive victory.
“We emphasize remaining neutral, being resilient, and recognizing that there will be fluctuations,” Prescott stated. “We understand our identity. If we persist, we can achieve victory. This was a prime example.”
Pittsburgh (3-2) suffered its second consecutive defeat after starting the season with three victories, delivering a lackluster performance, particularly on the offensive side, during a game that experienced a nearly 90-minute delay for severe weather prior to the opening kickoff.
As the weather improved, the Steelers remained mired in a fog, especially offensively, accumulating only 226 yards against a defense that was missing key players Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence due to injuries. "The recurring issue is that we keep shooting ourselves in the foot," stated Steelers quarterback Justin Fields. "Penalties and false starts are hindering our execution."
Following Tolbert's go-ahead touchdown, Pittsburgh regained possession, but a series of laterals proved ineffective, allowing the Cowboys to celebrate their victory as the game concluded just shy of 1 a.m.
Dowdle provided a much-needed boost to the league's least effective rushing attack, amassing 87 yards and contributing a sliding 22-yard touchdown reception on the third play of the fourth quarter, capping a 16-play, 90-yard drive that put Dallas ahead 13-10.
It appeared that this lead might suffice until Prescott attempted a deep pass into double coverage, seeking a decisive score with approximately 10 minutes remaining. Instead, the ball found its way into the hands of Pittsburgh’s Joey Porter Jr., leading the Steelers on a 63-yard drive over 12 plays, culminating in a 6-yard shovel pass from Fields to tight end Pat Freiermuth, which secured the lead for Pittsburgh.
Fields recorded 131 passing yards and two touchdowns, along with 27 rushing yards, but faced challenges with his accuracy, completing only 15 of 27 attempts. With veteran Russell Wilson's calf injury finally healing after sidelining him for five weeks, Fields' inconsistent performance may provide head coach Mike Tomlin with the opportunity to consider reinstating Wilson, who had secured the starting position during training camp, for the upcoming game in Las Vegas.
Fields remarked, "We simply missed opportunities and hindered ourselves once again."
The Cowboys squandered several chances to establish an early lead due to errors by Prescott, who fumbled while being sacked by T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, concluding one drive deep in Pittsburgh territory during the first quarter. This half-sack elevated Watt’s career total to 100, making him the second-fastest player in NFL history to achieve this milestone in just 109 games.
In the second quarter, Prescott missed another opportunity when he delivered a late pass to Cee Dee Lamb in the end zone, allowing Pittsburgh cornerback Donte Jackson to intercept the ball and keep the Steelers within reach.
The pattern continued throughout the evening, as Dallas’ mistakes—including 11 penalties for 87 yards—enabled Pittsburgh to remain competitive.
However, reminiscent of his first visit to Pittsburgh as a rookie eight years prior, Prescott orchestrated a crucial late-game drive, providing the Cowboys with a much-needed boost following consecutive losses to New Orleans and Baltimore that had left them reeling.
Despite a compromised offensive line and the absence of two key defensive players, Prescott demonstrated his significance to the team's core by effectively managing the game and steering his team’s season back on track.
"We have a play call that we trust and feel confident in, regardless of the defense," Prescott stated. "The offensive line performed admirably, Tolbert got open to the left, and I just needed to make the throw."
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